Ḥamīda (Arabic:حَميدَة) known as Ḥamīda al-Muṣaffā (حَميدَة المُصَفّا), Ḥamīda al-Barbariyya (حَميدَة البَربَريَّة), Ḥamīda al-Andalusīyya (حَميدَة الاندُلُسيَّة) was the wife of Ja'far b. Muhammad al-Sadiq (a), the sixth Shi'aImam and the mother of Imam Musa b. Ja'far al-Kazim (a), the seventh Imam of Twelver Shi'a. She was a slave who was given as a gift, by Imam al-Baqir (a), to Imam al-Sadiq (a). Hamida was a virtuous woman and a faqih. Also Imam al-Sadiq (a) sent women to her to learn religious rules and received the answer to their religious questions.

Lineage

There are disagreements on the lineage of Hamida. Some sources mentioned Sa'id Berber was the name of her father and Salih was the name of her brother. Also Hamida's race was mentioned as Berber, Andalusian, Roman and 'Ajam.[1]

Names and Titles

Her name is mentioned as Hamida or Humayda. When Imam al-Baqir (a) asked her name, she responded Hamida.[2] She was known as Hamida al-Berberiyya and Hamida al-Andalusiyya.[3] Imam al-Sadiq (a) titled her as al-Musaffa.[4]

Lu'lu'a, Muhaddaba, Sayyidat al-Ima', Umm Ahmad and Umm Hamida are the other titles attributed to Hamida.[5]

Statues

Imam al-Baqir (a) regarded her as: "a woman praised in this world and treasured in the Hereafter."[6]Imam al-Sadiq (a) said on her: "Hamida is pure from impurity and she is like a gold bullion. Angles have always watched over her until our child, the next Imam and God's gift to us, was born."[7]

Imam al-Sadiq (a) always sent women to Hamida to learn religious rules.[8] Imam (a) also put Hamida and Umm Farwa in charge of some financial tasks in Medina.[9] In addition, grand religious Shia scholars considered Hamida as an honorable and wise woman.[10]

From Slavery to Marriage to Imam al-Sadiq (a)

According to Hadith books, Imam al-Baqir (a) bought Hamida as a slave and recommended his son, Ja'far b. Muhammad (a), to marry her.[11]

Narrating Hadiths from Imam al-Sadiq (a)

Hamida has narrated two hadiths about the rules on performing hajj for children[12] and on martyrdom of Imam Ja'far b. Muhammad al-Sadiq (a).[13]

Birth of Imam al-Kazim (a)

According to a narration from Abu Basir, when Imam al-Sadiq (a) was on a trip in Abwa' region, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a) was born. He said:

"When Hamida was ready to deliver the baby, Imam (a) rushed toward her tent and returned with happiness. Imam (a) said: Hamida told me the newborn baby put his hands on the ground and looked up in the sky. I told her this is a sign from Prophet Muhammad (s) and his successors."[14]

Najma a Gift to Imam al-Kazim (a)

Based on a narration, Hamida bought Najma as a servant. Then she was experienced a true dream in which she was told to give Najma as a gift to Imam al-Kazim (a) to marry her, as one of the best men on earth was supposed to be born from them.[15] Hamida told Imam al-Kazim (a): "My son! Tuktam (Najma) is the most virtuous servant I know. I have no doubt, God will give you children. I recommend you to treat her decently."[16]